Seed-planter



- 2 Sheets-Sheet, 1.

(Ne Model.)

' J. W. RATLIFF.

SEED-PLANTER.

Patented Feb. 9,1886

1.7V Vim/13 fltt ' WITNESSES 2 Sheets-Sfiet 2.

(No Model.)

J. W- RATLIFF.

I SEED PLANTER. No. 335,959. Patented Feb. 9, 1886" WITNESSES PATET Fl :1

CEQ

JOHI. W. RATLIFF, OF LEWISVILLE, TEXAS.

SEED-PLANTER.

r SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 335,959, dated February 9 1886.

App ication filed September 4, 1886 Serial No. 116,192. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. RATLIFF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lewisville, in the county of Denton and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seed-Planters; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to seed-planters, the object being to provide the hopper of the same with regulating devices,whereby the seed may be planted in desired quantities and at desired intervals.

A further object of the invention is to improve the details of construction of machines of this class, and to provide a planter which shall be simple in its construction and thoroughly effective in its operation.

\Vith these ends in view the invention consists in the improved construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seed-planter embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. ,Fig. 3 is a transverse section, and Fig. 4 is a section on the line 00 w of Fig. 3.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by the same letters of reference.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the frame of the planter,which is composed of the parallel longitudinal side beams, a, connected at their front and rear ends by cross or tie beams I). Just in rear of the front cross or tie beam, 1), is secured a beam, 0, and secured to the beams a and c is a beam, d, which extends forwardly beyond the front of the frame. An opening, 6, is made in the beam d, and fitted in said opening is a standard, C, carrying a furrow-opener or plow, f, at its lower end, said standard being adapted to be adjusted in said opening and held in place by a set-screw, At the rear ends of the frames are provided coverers D, which extend downwardly from their point of attachment to the longitudinalsidebeams. Extendingupwardlyfrom the beams a a are handles E, which are connected and braced by a rod, h, and are supported in proper position by bars i. Upon the upper sides of the beams a, about midway the ends of the same,are provided brackets F, which are provided with elongated vertical slots j.

G representsthe hopper, which is cylindric al in form, and has extending outwardly from its sides gudgeons or trunnions k,which have bearing in the slots of the brackets F, thus permitting the hopper to rise and fall to accommodate itself to th e condition of the ground.

H represents a circumferential flange, which projects from the hopper, and which may be provided with a metal tire, Z, said flange preventing the hopper from direct contact with the ground and forming a wheel or tread for said hopper. At desired intervals in the hopper G are provided openings m, and at suitable points on the hopper between the openings m are provided openings n.

J represents a slide,which consists of a circular band, having openings 0 to correspond to the openings m in the hopper. This slide is provided with finger-pieces K, by which it maybe turned, and is guided and held in place by brackets L. The movement of the slide is limited by pins, or their equivalent, which are located in the brackets L, and which are adapted to fit in recesses 12 in the sides of the slide.

- By the arrangement of openings and slide to cover the same, above described, the seed may be planted in drills by turning the slide so that its openings will register with the openings m in the hopper, which are, as shown, arranged very close together. If it is desired to plant the seed in hills, the slide is turned in one direction,which covers the openings m and exposes the openings 12, of which. there are, say, four or five.

When the seed is planted in drills, the pins, fitting the recesses p,are located at points mid way the ends of the recesses,and when planted in hills the slide is turned so that when the pins bear against one end of the recesses the openings or will be exposed. If the slide is turned so that the other ends of the recesses bear against the pins all theopenings in the hopper will be closed, thus preventing the seed from being dropped. It will also be observed that the slides may be so regulated as to partially close either the openings on or n, thus regulating the amount of seed dropped when planting in drills or hills.

An opening, I, is madein onesideof the hopper, for the introduction of seed and closing said opening is ahinged door, J,which is provided with a spring-catch, 1', having an opening 5 which is adapted to be engaged by a pin, 8, projecting from the hopper. By this arrange ment the door to hopper may be automatically locked by simply closing the door.

The planter before described is simple in-its 10 construction, thoroughly effective in its operation, and strong and durable. Further, if desired, the hopper might be removed, and the I frame having the opener and covers used as a cultivator. 15 Having thus described my invention, What Iclaim is A seed-planter comprising in its construction a, supporting-frame, a rotatable hopper mounted and adapted to vertical movement in bearings of said frame, a circumferential 2o flange on the hopper, said hopper having openings of varying sizes, a slide having openings to correspond to those of the hopper, said slide having recesses and guided by brackets L, pins fitting said recesses, and the finger- 25 piece K on the slide, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN W. RATLIFF.

\Vitnesses:

C. A. MoMEANs, N. W. RATLIFF. 

